A Day in the Life at Top Fashion Design Colleges in India

Overview

The article gives an insight into life at the top fashion design colleges in India. It delves into themes such as classroom learning, practical lessons, skill development and extracurricular activities that play a vital role in shaping the careers of fashion design enthusiasts. This article will be a playbook for fashion design enthusiasts looking to pursue an exciting career ahead. 

Table of contents

• Kickstarting the day
• Campus Atmosphere
• Mid-morning academic pursuits
• Classroom learning
• Afternoon Experiences: Beyond the Classroom
• Evening Creativity
• Skill development workshops
• Industry Exposure
• Holistic Development: More Than Just Design
• Extracurricular Activities
• Mental and Professional Growth
• About IIAD

 

Do you aspire to pursue fashion designing inspired by iconic fashion designers like Neeta Lulla, Anamika Khanna and Anita Dongre? Do you aspire to get into top fashion colleges in India and wonder what the day in the life of a fashion designer is? If yes, this article will help you delve into life in the top fashion design colleges in India. Fashion design students balance structured learning with hands-on projects, industry exposure and skill development. 

If you are wondering how to become a fashion designer, choosing the right fashion design college is the first step. A day at the top fashion design colleges in India witnesses a flurry of activities, from browsing through the latest trends, attending theory classes, and conceptualising and stitching a garment. It is interesting to note that no two days are alike and are usually packed with excitement, hustle, and the burning desire to realise your dreams.

Kickstarting the day

Mornings are crucial for setting the tone for the rest of the day. Students spend this time mostly reading journals, browsing fashion design trends on social media and brainstorming creative ideas to prepare for the day ahead. This exercise is crucial for fuelling creativity and channelling their energies to deliver better outcomes for tasks lined ahead. 

This is followed by gathering inspiration for mood boards, which help students organise their ideas and visualise their proposed designs. Research is the hallmark of this process as design integrates aesthetics, cultural and textile heritage, objectives and the latest trends. 

The next step is sketching, which allows students to transform their ideas into tangible designs. It details everything about fashion garments, such as types of fabric to be used, garment structure and intricate embellishments. Sketching is usually an iterative process consisting of rough drafts and detailed drawings. 

Campus Atmosphere 

The campuses of the top fashion design colleges in Delhi are fully equipped to meet the requirements of new-age students. Some of the amenities of these colleges include a state-of-the-art design studio, tech-enabled classrooms, advanced labs—pattern-making, grading, garment production, dyeing, printing, and computer design and access to digital resources. Such amenities foster a vibrant and conducive atmosphere for structured learning. 

Other facilities, such as a hostel, canteen, medical room, in-house grocery outlet, and Wi-Fi, are designed to make life comfortable for outstation students. Besides classrooms, these campuses also boast collaborative learning spaces, open areas, conference rooms and seminar halls to enable learning in a variety of settings. 

Mid-morning academic pursuits 

Mid-mornings are dedicated to classroom learning focussing on pattern-making and stitching. The sessions teach them how to transform sketches into patterns that can be cut and sewn into garments. 

Classroom learning

The classroom learning consists of structured modules geared to provide a deep dive into the history of fashion, traditional fashion techniques like Ayurvastra, trend analysis, and knowledge of design principles to enable students to get a bigger picture of their work. Other modules may include the impact of culture on fashion, the role of fashion in society, the evolution of style and top luxury brands shaping the fashion landscape. A hallmark of fashion design courses in the top fashion colleges in India is that they are closely aligned to cater to the requirements of the industry and provide various specialisation opportunities beyond the foundational course. The lectures are imparted by highly qualified faculty consisting of academicians and industry experts drawn from multiple fashion design disciplines. 

Afternoon Experiences: Beyond the Classroom

Afternoons are reserved for hands-on learning, which is usually spent in a design studio. It enables students to immerse themselves entirely into the garment production process- from inception to completion. Practical learning is marked by transitioning from 2D drawings to 3D garments, involving high technical proficiency and precision. The sketches are brought to life through pattern-making and sewing sessions, which help students understand how various patterns fit together and how various fabrics behave. There is room for experimentation as students are encouraged to explore various fabrics, textures and techniques. This exercise fosters innovation, enabling students to push their creative boundaries constantly.

Evening Creativity

Evenings are dedicated to making students job-ready for the market. Students typically wrap up their day with creative reflection, which allows them to review their progress, make necessary course corrections, and stay on track to upgrade their skills continuously. 

Beyond a mix of theoretical sessions and practical learning, skill development, exposure through networking events, and fashion portfolio development are essential to beginning a career in the fashion design industry.

 

Skill development workshops 

Fashion designers must possess a sound knowledge of design principles and colour palettes, an eye for detail, and excellent interpersonal skills. They must also be adept in using various software and digital tools such as Illustrator, CLO, CAD, and Behance, among others. Skill development workshops play a vital role in bridging the skill gap. Students are also trained to build their portfolios showcasing their work and key achievements. Industry expert masterclasses are also held to give them insights into the workings of the industry. 

Industry Exposure

A top fashion design college also provides adequate industry exposure, which is necessary for making students industry-ready. While the internship program provides first-hand experience in the fashion design industry, the role of guest lectures, industry visits, and networking through industry events cannot be underestimated. Such activities help provide students with access to mentorship, training, and placement opportunities.

 

Holistic Development: More Than Just Design

Holistic development helps children develop their physical, cognitive, and social skills. Life at the top fashion colleges in India goes beyond learning; these help mould a student's personality.

Extracurricular Activities

Extracurricular activities are pivotal to holistic development, managing stress and maintaining a healthy life balance. While cultural events help hone and showcase students' skills, offsites such as visiting artisans give them first-hand insight into various crafts. Similarly, design symposiums and fashion runways like Lakme India Fashion Week help students stay abreast of the latest trends. Sports are also essential for imparting life skills such as problem-solving, collaboration, and design thinking. 

Mental and Professional Growth

A good fashion design college provides various avenues to ensure career development and nurture an ecosystem of lifelong learning. Most of them have vibrant alumni cells that provide necessary mentorship, access to networking opportunities, and placement opportunities. Career counselling helps students zero in on a suitable career in fashion design, and personal development workshops help students acquire soft skills that are vital in today's world. The world-class fashion design schools also provide exchange programs to shape students' global perspectives. 

About IIAD

Nestled in the heart of Delhi, Indian Institute of Art and Design(IIAD) is among the sought-after fashion design colleges in India. Its association with Kingston University, University for the Creative Arts, Nottingham Trent University, Coventry University, Arts University Bournemouth are testament to its commitment to international-quality education. 

The institute has an 85,000 square feet campus designed to meet the evolving needs of education. The amenities such as the Material Workshop, Garment Construction Lab, Photography Lab, Mac Labs and Studio Spaces are designed to make the study environment conducive for students. Education at IIAD promises to be a kaleidoscope of classroom learning, practical work and extracurricular activities. The institution also lends top notch exposure through seminars, fashion runways, guest lectures, workshops and masterclasses. It also has a vibrant alumni cell to provide networking and mentorship opportunities to students. 

The journey of a fashion designer is characterised by perseverance, pushing creative boundaries and investing in lifelong development. Fashion design schools are the gateway to a successful career in the field. Here, the learning goes beyond the classroom to encompass the simulation of real-life situations. Whether you aspire to get into one of the top fashion design colleges in India or already pursuing a career in this discipline, getting a sneak peek into life at a fashion design school prepares you to tackle challenges head-on and prepare for the rewarding career ahead.  

Explore More About Fashion Design

-Did you enjoy this piece? Author Ashita Kulshreshtha has also written about what do best fashion design colleges have in common. 

- If you are a design aspirant looking to know the best design colleges for fashion design, here’s a comprehensive analysis for you.

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